Jersey City Joins Global Pledge to Reduce Emissions

JERSEY CITY – Mayor Steven M. Fulop today signed a letter of commitment officially joining the City of Jersey City to the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy. With this commitment, Jersey City joins thousands of other cities across the globe in committing to aggressive, measurable action to address global climate change. As part of the Global Covenant of Mayors, Jersey City will conduct a thorough, city-wide greenhouse gas inventory, set public emissions targets, and develop a comprehensive plan to meet those targets.

“Last year, I signed the Mayors Climate Commitment to uphold the goals set by the Paris Climate Agreement, after President Trump announced the United States’ withdrawal. This year I am honoring that pledge by committing to the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy as the next step in our mission to address climate change on a local level,” said Mayor Fulop. “At a time of federal inaction, it is up to city and local governments to fill the void. As a coastal city, Jersey City is threatened by climate change and it is time for us to take decisive action to improve our sustainability and protect our environment.”

This commitment coincides with the launch of the City’s new Office of Sustainability, which will be dedicated to finding ways to improve the sustainability of the City’s operations, raise public awareness of sustainable practices, and implement policies across areas such as water, energy, transit, and development. The Office will be tasked with leading the Global Covenant of Mayors process for Jersey City.

Building on the success of the City’s 2017 Year of Water campaign, the Office of Sustainability will also be managing the City’s 2018 Year of Energy effort, a campaign to increase use of renewable energy, reduce carbon and other emissions from energy production, improve the energy efficiency of City operations, and help residents conserve energy and reduce their carbon footprint. The Office will work across City Departments to mainstream sustainability across all City operations and decision-making.

“The establishment of a dedicated Office of Sustainability signals the City’s commitment to advancing sustainability as a priority in Jersey City, and making Jersey City a leader in urban sustainability across the nation,” Mayor Fulop noted.